The Fiscal Responsibility Act – the official name for the U.S. House’s bipartisan debt ceiling agreement – passed the U.S. House on a 314-117 vote today, with 11 of New Jersey’s 12 House members voting in support of the bill.
The one exception was Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-Dennis), who joined with a coalition of conservative Republicans and progressive Democrats in opposing the deal.
“The Fiscal Responsibility Act simply does not live up to the expectations we set, and I cannot in good conscience vote for it,” Van Drew said on Twitter several hours before the vote.
The vote comes after months of fretting over the looming possibility of a debt default, which U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned would likely arrive on June 5. That put pressure on Washington leaders to reach a bipartisan deal, and President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy did so over the weekend.
Although the bill got support from a majority of both caucuses, it drew more support overall from Democrats: the Democratic caucus broke 165-46 in favor, while Republicans were 149-71. That has led some Democratic House members to complain that McCarthy needed Democrats to bail out his own deal.
“Republicans created this crisis and held our nation prisoner for months!” Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-Paterson) said in a statement. “The leadership of the Republican Party top to bottom represents a continuing and growing threat to democracy and our economy. Once again, Democrats have saved our nation.”
But one New Jersey Republican in a competitive district, Rep. Tom Kean Jr. (R-Westfield), framed the vote as a bipartisan win and a necessary step towards fiscal responsibility.
“By prioritizing responsible spending and reducing wasteful practices, we are laying the foundation for a stronger, more prosperous future for all Americans,” Kean said in a statement. “I will continue to fight for government spending that better reflects New Jersey’s priorities and ensures the long-term fiscal health of our nation.”